Heated debate sparked as Sabrina Carpenter is accused of using 'slur' in popular song

Sabrina Carpenter has been accused by some social media critics of including an 'ableist' slur in the lyrics to her latest single 'Manchild', but many of her fans totally disagree.

The country-inspired pop hit was released on 6 June following mass anticipation from fans, as speculation began circling online that it would take aim at actor Barry Keoghan, whom Carpenter allegedly broke up with earlier this year.

The toe-tapping track sky-rocketed straight to the top of the charts in several countries following its release, including the US and the UK.

Unfortunately for the 26-year-old musician, however, it didn't take long for the song to come under scrutiny from critics, one of whom took to Instagram last week to accuse Carpenter of including an offensive slur in her lyrics.

"So... are we gonna talk about the slur in Sabrina Carpenter's song that's going viral?" they asked in the caption, appearing very unimpressed.

The song was rumoured to be about the singer's ex, Barry Keoghan (Kevin Mazur/MG24/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

"Not to kill the vibe, but 'Manchild' has a lyric we seriously need to talk about.

"Disabled folks deserve better @sabrinacarpenter—ableism doesn’t look good on you, girl."

The same critic continued: "Also, can we talk about the number of other DEAF creators signing this song? YIKES, y’all (and before you go off, I’m also Deaf and I sign)."

Whilst the user opted not to disclose the term she has taken issue with, Newsweek believe it's the lyrics to the single's pre-chorus, which read: "Stupid, or is it slow? Maybe it's useless? But there's a cuter word for it, I know."

It seems to be the word 'slow' that the online critic has taken aim at, being that the term has been insensitively and offensively applied to slow learners and members of the disabled community in the past.

Many of said user's followers seemingly agreed with her assertion, believing there could have been a better set of lyrics chosen for the song.

"Im autistic & disabled, it’s offensive," one agreed. "I was offended immediately the first time I heard it it’s disheartening bc I’m a fan."

Another added: "Guys pls remember that the words 'dumb', 'slow', and 'stupid' are rooted in ableism and should be handled with care.

"Sabrina didn’t use those words in a way that was respectful towards the disabled community. As an autistic person who has multiple disabled people in her life, it’s not funny."

As we say, however, a hoard of fans have since rushed to Carpenter's defence, with many claiming that while 'slow' is a derogatory and often insulting term, it isn't a slur.

A number of fans rushed to the singer's defence (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

One fan hit out at the original poster: "The fact that you even associate the word 'slow' with disabled people says a lot more about you than it does about anyone else. Yikes."

"Girl 'slow'? Y’all gotta realize that not all insults are slurs," another went on.

A third claimed: "Hey, so slurs and derogatory terms are different."

"I fear we're forgetting the difference between a slur and a word that can be used in a derogatory way," a fourth contined.